Posts by tag: 1200

Erik Buell Racing had to provide a toned-down version of their flagship 1190RS superbike, since even their managers couldn't afford the RS. The 1190RX has some of the expected Buell innovations and a refreshing level of tech compared to earlier offerings.

Buell had earlier turned a corner and used a Rotax-based engine for their 1125 series, and continued development resulted in the 1190cc engine adopted by EBR, delivering 185 hp and 102 ft.-lbs. torque. Fuel is in the formed aluminum perimeter frame, and the "tank" holds the airbox. Showa has provided the big piston forks and a more conventionally configured monoshock. It would be news if an EBR machine did not have the zero torque load front brake, this one might be the pinnacle of the design at 386 mm with an 8-piston caliper. Electronics jumped the shark to this model, with an LCD dash and traction control configurable on the fly.

Though it has low miles and looks excellent, the salvage title makes this a real opportunity. States handle this differently, making a reading of your DMV's rules and inspection of the bike a requirement. A couple of calls to local indie shops wouldn't be a bad idea either, to see how much support is available. From the eBay auction:

There only about 1200 EBR's made worldwide. This one is production #26. This is a 2014 model EBR 1190RX. Makes 185HP and 101TQ. The bike just hit 5,600 original miles and runs perfect. The power and torque delivery on this bike is crazy! This bike goes head to head with the Ducati 1199. It has interesting features like all LED headlight, the fuel sits inside the aluminum frame and airbox is on top.

The bike also has traction control and different track modes. There is a single sided front brake rotor and single caliper and stopping distance shorter due to the size of the bigger rotor. The bike is in pristine condition and only has your normal wear. The bike does come with a California rebuilt salvage title from previous damage to the right side plastic. Damage was minor and have pictures to show. All the parts were special ordered from EBR.

EBR had just a few years afloat, and accomplished a lot, considering. The Cycle World head-to-head with the Panigale was basically a draw, their biggest complaint being the hefty clutch. Most of the development costs had been well, amortized in the 1190RS, allowing EBR to offer this advanced superbike at mere Ducati prices. Now you could have it for significantly less, but put an eyeball on it first...

The big domestic iron is usually made in generous quantities, but in the early days at Buell they were handcrafted in a suburban Milwaukee quonset hut. The early RSS1200 monoposto was made for only a couple of years and totalled just 98. This original owner put on just 12,000 miles during the 25-plus years of caretaking and improvements.

Buell shoehorned the 1200cc Sporty motor into the Battletwin-derived frame, using the patented Isoplanar engine mounts to keep the mirrors usable. Beside the Marzocchi forks with Buell anti-dive, many of the company's durable concepts are there - the oversize single front brake, underslung pull shock, and shorty SuperTrapp exhaust. The super sport fairing shows off H-D's finest, and the seat fairing is cleaned up without the folding pillion backrest used on the RS.

A proud single owner started out with a prototypical Buell and has been updating as well as keeping the cosmetics pristine. A lot of Harley-powered Buells have had engine work, but the stocker has plenty of torque. Components from the factory are good but the eBay auction details changes to the oil supply and venting, fuel tank, primary drive, and ignition:

I have sorted this bike over the past 26 years of ownership. It does not leak, smoke or puke oil. The breathers have been re-routed so there is no oil mess from the aircleaner. The upgraded oil pump with improved scavenging was fitted. The famously leaky composite fuel tank has been permanently repaired by installing a custom made aluminum inner tank inside the original tank. I retained the original Buell electric fuel valves. This bike is fully operational and trustworthy. White Power suspension front and rear, Performance Machine wheels and front brake, Wilwood Gambler rear brake are all original fitment from the factory and are flawless. A Buell accessory carbon fibre air filter cover is installed. The original (ugly) chrome cover will be included. The bike retains its original paint and graphics. All in excellent shape. It rolls on Avon 3-D Ultra Supersport rubber. Always garaged, never run in the rain. It is probably one of the nicest fully operational RSS bikes in the country. It does not leak thanks to James metal gaskets in the top end. Factory oil cooler and temp gauge. A Hayden self adjusting primary chain tensioner was installed right after purchase. Thanks to a Screaming Eagle ignition module it runs smartly to red line in every gear giving a top speed of about 132 mile per hour.

Unable to repeal the law of gravity, the RSS was overweight but handled well enough for some spirited riding. Not overly photographed and asking a pretty penny, so as good as it looks, an inspection is mandatory. The Westwinds have pretty good lineage from Buell's early race machines, though this is more of a sporting fun machine. Many ads and auctions say " fly in and ride it home " but this one looks like that would actually be something to think about...

Update 2.13.2018: We first posted this Mirage last April and it was bid to $11,500 and then relisted and removed. It is back on eBay with a different seller and current bid is $7,700 reserve met. Links are updated. Thanks Donn! -dc

On the block today is one of Laverda's best kept secrets: The Mirage 1200. Created as a bit of a parts-bin special, the Mirage fills a distinct niche in the Laverda triple lineup, providing a naked cruiser, a half-faired sport-cruiser, and the full-blown TS sport touring edition (which we see here) all from the same basic bike. The Mirage is powered by the familiar 180-degree triple, but punched to 1200cc and fitted with a different cam profile from the other models. Jota bits are utilized throughout - such as the Jota-spec exhaust - but some items like the handlebars and seating position are unique to the Mirage.

The engine modifications move the Mirage away from the raucous, sporting intent of the Jota, and the overall effect is a more civilized "Executive Express" type of feel. The large fairing provides decent wind protection, and gives the Mirage TS a polished look - much more so than the brutish, bare-bones fighters Laverda built their name on. This was to be a Laverda that you could go out and ride - often and far. Unfortunately, triples are inherently imbalanced (even the 180 degree motors), and vibration at speed was a persistent fly in the Mirage's high-speed transport ointment. The new additions came at another cost: weight. There are over 30 lbs added to a similar spec Jota in order to create a Mirage, which tips the scales at a burly 542 lbs. With only 73 HP available, performance is more inferred than experienced.

From the seller:
Here we have a 1982 Laverda Mirage 1200 TS with only 24k miles. This is a late 1200 series 2 and one of the last with the wonderful 180 degree crankshaft, giving this bike a lopey idle and great sound. If you're not familiar with this crankshaft configuration, the outer pistons rise and fall together while the center piston is offset at 180 degrees. This example is a South African market bike and was originally sold by Roma Guzzi LTD, in Johannesburg South Africa and it was imported to the US in 1993. While in the US it's lived all of it's life in hibernation while stored in a detached garage in Ohio until just last month.

More from the seller:
Upon possession of this exotic motorcycle I immediately began the resurrection process. The carbs were completely rebuilt and new O-rings, float valves and seals were installed. The Brembo brake calipers and master cylinders were completely overhauled and new seals, O-rings and pistons were installed. This bike got a thorough inspection and what was not roadworthy was replaced with new or NOS parts. The ignition pick-up wires were so bad that they turned to dust with the most gentle touch (something common on these bikes). These wires along with the outer silicone sleeve were replaced. The front forks also received new seals and fluids. This bike did not receive a frame-off restoration and it is not a trailer queen, it is meant to be ridden. Front and rear tires look good and they don't show any cracking, however, they are the original Metzelers it wore when it left South Africa and are over 24 years old. Bike shifts through all the gears and it brakes work as they should. Throttle response is very good and crispy. The clock currently shows 40,067 Km which is a little over 24k miles. The serial numbers are matching frame and motor #3444.

The seller has done a decent job describing this machine. True, it is not exactly the loving, original owner putting his baby up on the market. Still, there has been some work done to make this bike as presentable as it is, and plenty of decent photos. This is not a new machine, and there are some rough edges to some areas of the bike - certainly expected after 35 years of use. But it is also a reasonably rare machine, especially here in the US (you will note that the gauges are primarily in KMs). There appear to be a few slight modifications over the years as well - the oil pressure gauge does not appear to be OEM, and the Mirage originally came with a 3-into-2 exhaust, not the single pipe currently fitted.

Pricing on a Mirage model is difficult, at best. We have only featured one other such model on the pages of RSBFS, and that was a half-faired, non-TS model. Valuation should be comparable with a similar age Jota, or even RGS. There has been enough interest in this auction to pull the bidding above the $8k mark, with reserve still in place. Given the rarity of the model in the US, this one could go much, much higher. Curious to hear from our RSBFS sharpshooters on their thoughts - I know some of you are Laverda experts and might have more to share. Check it out here, and then jump back to the Comments section to let us know what you think!

BMW's niche of performance, clientele, and MSRP has given even their dabbles a certain credibility. A marque that has always had a standard in the line-up ventured into musclebike territory in the mid-2000's swapping some fuel economy for showroom excitement. The owner of this mildly customized K1200R Sport gives a nod to the days when all BMW's were black.

Early oughties BMW developed a canted 1157cc inline four and put it in three models, S, GT, and R. The K1200R for 2007 pushed 163 ponies, right up there for a semi-standard. The box L-frame carried the stressed engine and was supported by BMW's Duolever front end and Paralever shaft-drive rear, which had electronically adjustable suspension as an option. Power-assist EVO brakes had ABS available but traction control was still just over the horizon. The Sport model had a Supersport fairing which cut the wind and allowed a relaxed handlebar position.

Evidently curated by a knowledgeable Florida owner, this K1200R Sport was retro-modded to BMW black and has covered under 1,000 miles. The usually bare engine has an aftermarket carbon fairing which is a nice improvement, as is the Puig windscreen. From the eBay auction:

Response to Questions: 1. Original color was "White Aluminum Metallic M" 2. Factory options include: sport wheels, heated grips, white turn indicators, Integral ABS II 3. Original keys and manuals shown in updated photos are included 4. Original factory MSRP sticker has been added to photos 5. The tires are original 6. Bike starts, idles, and runs like new 7. Bike has all recalls completed by BMW in Orange CA. Work Orders provided 8. Factory tail light will be reinstalled prior to shipping.

The price is absolutely FIRM. This gorgeous 2007 BMW K1200R Sport is in perfect shape with less than 1000 original miles. It has spent 10 years on display in a motorcycle collection and it looks and rides like new.The bike has been upgraded with gloss black paint (by local BMW painter), lower carbon fiber cowling, clear tail-light, raised bars, and Puig windscreen. Nothing else is needed on this incredible bike.

Collectability would be enhanced is this had been a factory special rather than a customer's design, but very few of the K1200R Sports were made, and this one is pretty special. Vertigo-inducing pictures show it to be flawless except for the peeled-off reflectors, and great options save ESA. The ask is a third more than the Sport cost new, which will be a challenge for a brand that prides itself on longevity almost above all else...

When introduced in 1996, the S1 Lightning was a little easier on the bank account and slightly improved in the power-to-weight department. Way back to basics, this all original Lightning has just 23 miles and needs only a new collector.

Buell's second production motorcycle, the S1 incorporates some usual Buell features like the 1203cc Sporty engine with belt drive, patented isoplanar engine mounts, tube frame, with horizontal pull-shock and muffler. The later rim-diameter front disk brake is hinted at but this single disk is more conventional. Undersized bikini fairing, fuel tank, and passenger seat all indicate a short-haul fun machine, and the 101 hp / 95 ft.-lbs. drivetrain made shifting the 5-speed more or less optional.

Right down to the rarely seen plastic rear fender, this Buell really is new-old-stock. The owner indicates it was originally in the collection of Robert Petersen, publisher of Hot Rod, Motorcyclist, and many other magazines. Pictures show it to be spotless through the glare. From the eBay auction:

This is the cleanest Buell you will ever find. It has just 23 miles on yes 23 it had 11 on it when it left the Peterson museum and was serviced and they test rode it for 12 miles. I have not started it but the factory battery still has a charge. The fuel was drained. This bike is as it left the factory. Not a mark on it anywhere and the paint is as bright as it was at the day it left the factory as its never been outside.

Buell had their ups and downs, but a surprisingly long and innovative run from the Battletwin to the 1125R some 22 years later. The S1 was only made for a few years, and around 5,000 examples. Outdated when introduced, the S1 vibrated to the potato-potato beat, and was somewhat overweight for being naked. But beloved by some for its brawny basic-ness. No doubt there is a H-D dealer or collector who'll want this first-year S1 for the display stand...

One of Buell's last Harley-powered models, the XB12 Super TT has a slightly longer and more stable XB2 chassis, powered by the 1203cc pushrod twin. Styled as a super / hyper street machine, it's a great performer and snappy dresser.

Part of the XB2 upgrade was more fuel in the frame, and the STT has 4.4 gallons available. The familiar Sportster powerplant is shrouded in the alloy perimeter frame, with Buell's Thunderstorm heads and downdraft fuel injection providing 103 hp and 84 ft.-lbs. torque. Showa suspension is fully adjustable and the signature 6-piston Zero Torque Load front brake provides a visual statement as well as great stopping power. The binnacle fairing has a number plate look to it, as do the panels below the seat, adding to the short, spare, lightweight look.

The Illinois owner has put under 3,000 miles on this STT, and has kept it very clean, and apparently upgraded the suspension and seat, but doesn't shout about it in the eBay auction:

SUPER NICE ORIGINAL CONDITION NOT MUCH TO SAY OTHER THAN THESE ARE RARE AND IN MY OPINION THE NICEST LIGHTNING THAT THEY MADE. THE BIKE NEEDS NOTHING OTHER THAN A NEW HOME. I HAVE A FEW EXTRAS THAT ARE INCLUDED WITH THE SALE AS ONE OF THE PHOTOS SHOW. I MIGHT HAVE A FEW MORE MILES ON BIKE AS I WILL TAKE A COUPLE SHORT RIDES BEFORE STORING IT FOR THE WINTER.

The black forks are at least a cosmetic improvement, and the owner shows a more road-oriented white front fender on the spares page, which would be going on first thing if it were mine. While the overall design might be an acquired taste, the STT reviewed as a great fun bike, no more or less practical than any other hyper, but the big torque makes it a leave-it-in-drive kind of ride. Fully sorted might be a good way to describe the XB2, a mature though innovative frame design and bombproof Evo motor, along with Buell's funky solutions to some age-old motorcycle design issues...

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